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Nigerian military: We will not overthrow Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari

Nigeria’s military has cautioned local leaders against inciting violence and vowed not to overthrow President Muhammadu Buhari, whose government has been criticized for the country’s rising insecurity.

Nigeria’s military has cautioned local leaders against inciting violence and vowed not to overthrow President Muhammadu Buhari, whose government has been criticized for the country’s rising insecurity.

While some secessionists and opposition leaders have attempted to destabilize the government, the country’s military has pledged its support for Mr. Buhari, a former army general. If a coup occurs, it would effectively end civilian rule, which was restored in 1999 following a period of military rule.

While some secessionists and opposition leaders have attempted to destabilize the government, the country’s military has pledged its support for Mr. Buhari, a former army general. If a coup occurs, it would effectively end civilian rule, which was restored in 1999 following a period of military rule.

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The army also warned politicians nursing ambitions of ruling Nigeria outside the ballot box, saying it would continue to defend the country’s democracy.

“We shall continue to remain apolitical, subordinate to the Civil Authority, firmly loyal to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari and the 1999 Constitution as Amended.

We shall continue to discharge our constitutional responsibilities professionally, especially in protecting the country’s democracy, defense of the territorial integrity of the country as well as protection of lives and properties of citizens,” the statement said in part.

“We also wish to remind all military personnel that it is treasonable to even contemplate this illegality. The full wrath of the law will be brought to bear on any personnel found to collude with people having such agenda.”

Brigadier General Nwachukwu frowned upon the call by Mr Robert Clarke, a senior advocate in the country, who suggested that the current political leadership should hand over power to the military for purposes of restructuring. Mr Clarke had said the country was on the brink of collapse and suggested the political leadership hand power to the military so that the security forces could be restructured.

“The situation in this country today is so bad that I, Robert Clarke, I cannot guarantee Nigeria staying another six months. The problems are so overwhelming and they have been created by these same politicians since the 1999 constitution came into being,” he said in a TV interview on May 2, 2021.

“Anybody who feels I’m wrong, let him tell me. Nigeria has to be changed; Nigeria has to be changed from what it is today and the only way to change it is to create a state that would make the 1999 constitution ungovernable for its existence.”

The airing of the programme by Channel Television stations caused an uproar in Nigeria.

Opposition figures like Bukola Saraki and Nobel winner and playwright Wole Soyinka have also urged Buhari to seek external help or resign.

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Ihesiulo Grace

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